The Rattrap Class 12 English Chapter 4 Summary in English and Hindi
The Rattrap Summary in English and Hindi by Selma Lagerlof
I. INTRODUCTION
“The Rattrap” conveys a universal message. The author believes that the essential goodness in man can be awakened through understanding and love. The act of kindness and hospitality shown by the ironmaster’s daughter awakes basic human goodness in the peddler. The story also highlights that this world is a big rattrap. Riches and wealth only tempt and trap us in.
1. Seller of Small Rattraps
Once upon a time there was a man who went selling small rattraps of wire. He made them himself. The business was not profitable. So he had to resort to both begging and petty thefts. His clothes were in rags. His cheeks e sunken, and hunger gleamed in his eyes. His life was sad and monotonous.
1. छोटी चहेबानियां बेचने वाला
एक समय एक व्यक्ति तारों की बनी छोटी चूहेदानियाँ बेचता फिरता था। वह उन्हें स्वयं बनाता था। धंधा लाभदायक नहीं था। इसलिए उसे भीख माँगना और छोटी-मोटी चोरियाँ, दोनों करनी पड़ती थीं। उसके कपड़े चिथड़े-चिथड़े हो गए थे। उसके गाल धंस गए थे और उसकी आँखों में भूख चमकती थी। उसका जीवन उदास और नीरस था।
2. The Whole World-A Rattrap
The peddler was struck by an idea. The whole world was nothing but a big rattrap. Its only purpose was to set baits for people. Riches, joys, shelter, food and clothing were just nothing but tempting baits, Anyone who lets himself tempted by these baits, the rattrap closes in on him. And then everything comes to an end. The world had never been kind to the peddler. It gave him joy to think ill of it: It became his cherished pastime to think of people who were caught in the dangerous snare. There were others who were still circling around the bait.
2. सारा संसार-एक चूहेदानी
फेरी वाले को एक विचार आया। सारा संसार एक बड़ी चूहेदानी के अतिरिक्त कुछ भी नहीं था। इसका एक मात्र उद्देश्य लोगों के लिए चारा लगाकर उन्हें प्रलोभित करना था। धन, आनन्द, शरण, भोजन और कपड़े कुछ नहीं अपितु केवल प्रलोभित करने वाले चारे थे। जो भी इन चारों से अपने को प्रलोभित होने देता है, चूहेदानी उसे बंद कर लेती है। और फिर हर चीज का अंत हो जाता है। संसार फेरी लगाने वाले के प्रति कभी भी दयालु नहीं रहा। उसे इसके बारे में बुरा सोचने से आनन्द मिलता था। यह उसका संजोया हुआ मनोरंजन होता था कि वह उन लोगों के बारे में सोचे जो खतरनाक जाल में फंस गए थे। कुछ दूसरे थे जो अभी तक चारे के चारों ओर चक्कर लगा रहे थे।
3. Generous Old Crofter
One dark evening he was wandering along the road. He knocked at the door of a little. gray cottage. An old man greeted him. He was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. He served him supper. The peddler played “mjölis” with his host until bedtime .
3. दयालु बूढ़ा, जमीन किराये पर देने वाला
एक अन्धकारमयी शाम को वह सड़क पर अकेला भटक रहा था। उसने भूरे रंग की एक छोटी-सी झोंपड़ी पर दस्तक दी। एक बूढ़े ने उसका अभिवादन किया। अपने एकांत में बातें करने के लिए किसी के मिल जाने से वह प्रसन्न था। उसने उसके सामने उस दिन का अतिम भोज परोसा। फेरीवाले ने अपने मेजबान के साथ सोने के समय तक ‘mjolis’ नामक खेल खेला।
4. Peddler Steals Three Ten-Kronor Banknotes
The old man went to the window. He took down a leather pouch which hung on a nail in the window frame. He picked out three wrinkled ten-kronor banknotes. He held them up before the eyes of his guest. He stuffed them back into the pouch. The next day both men left the cottage at the same time, But half an hour later, the rattrap peddler stood again at the window. He smashed a pane and got hold of the pouch. He took the money and thrust it into his pocket. He hung the leather pouch back in its place.
4. फेरीवाला तीन बस-क्रोनर बैंकनोट
चुराता है बूढ़ा खिड़की के पास गया। उसने खिड़की की चौखट की 3 कील पर टंगी चमड़े की थैली (थैले) को नीचे उतारा। उसने तीन मुड़े-तुड़े दस क्रोनर वाले बैंक नोट बाहर निकाले। उसने अपने मेहमान की आँखों के सामने उन्हें ऊपर किया। उसने उन्हें छोटे- थैले में वापस लूंस दिया। अगले दिन एक ही समय दोनों आदमी- झोंपड़ी से बाहर निकले। लेकिन आधे घण्टे बाद, चूहेदानी बेचने वाला फिर खिड़की के आगे खड़ा हो गया। उसने एक शीशे को तोड़ा और थैली को बाहर निकाल लाया। उसने पैसा बाहर निकाला और उसे अपनी जेब में ठूस लिया। उसमे चमड़े की थैली को फिर से उसके स्थान पर टांग दिया।
5. Trapped in the Forest
With the money in his pocket, he felt quite pleased wit smartness. It was not safe to walk on the public highway. He turned off the road into the forest. Later in the day he lost the way. It was a big and confusing forest. To him, the world appeared to be a big rattrap. Now his turn had come. He had let himself- befooled by a bait and had been caught. Darkness was already descending over the forest. Finally, when he saw no way out, he sank down on the ground. He was tired to death. But soon he heard the sound of hammer strokes coming from an iron mill. He gathered all his strength and dragged himself towards it.
5. जंगल में फंस जाना
जेब में पैसा रखे हुए उसे अपनी चतुराई पर प्रसन्नता अनुभव हुई। सार्वजनिक मार्ग पर चलना सुरक्षित नहीं था। वह सड़क से मुड़कर जंगल में घुस गया। दिन के अन्त में वह रास्ता भूल गया। वह एक बड़ा और परेशान करने वाला जंगल था। उसे यह संसार एक विशाल चूहेदानी लगता था। अब उसकी बारी आ गयी थी। उसने एक चारे से प्रलोभित होकर स्वयं को मूर्ख बनवाया और पकड़ा गया। जंगल में अंधेरा पहले ही (नीचे) छा रहा था। अन्ततः जब उसे कोई रास्ता नजर नहीं आया तो वह धम्म से धरती पर गिर गया। वह थक कर मृत-समान हो गया था। लेकिन शीघ्र ही उसे एक लोहा मिल से हथौड़े के प्रहारों की आवाज सुनायी पड़ी। उसने अपनी सारी शाक्ति बटोरी और अपने को इस ओर घसीटा।
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6. At Ramsjö Ironworks
The Ramsjö Ironworks was a big plant. The mastersmith and his helper sat in the dark forge near the furnace. Many sounds were heard in the forge. On account of all this noise, the blacksmith didn’t notice the peddler standing close to the furnace. Usually poor vagabonds came there to warm themselves in the winter. He asked permission to stay and the blacksmith nodded in approval.
6. Ramsjo लोहे के कारखाने पर
Ramsjo लोहे का कारखाना एक बड़ा प्लांट था। बड़ा लुहार और उसका सहायक भट्ठी के पास अन्धेरै मिस्त्रीखाने में बैठे थे। मिस्त्रीखाने से बहुत सी आवाजें आ रही थीं। इस सभी शोर में लुहार ने फेरीवाले को भट्ठी के पास खड़ा हुआ नहीं देखा। अक्सर गरीब आवारा लोग वहाँ सर्दी में अपने को गर्म करने आते थे। उसने वहाँ ठहरने की इजाजत मांगी और लुहार ने स्वीकृति में अपना सिर हिला दिया।
7. Meeting with the Ironmaster
The ironmaster came into the forge on his nightly round of inspection. He saw the peddler in the dark and took him for an old DADE The peddler didn’t know his name Nor did het meet the man. He told the iron master that things had gone down-hill with him. The ironmaster mistook him for an old comrade of his regiment. He regret- regiment. He invited the peddler to come home ted that he should not have resigned from the with him. The vagabond didn’t want to go along with him to the manor house. He didn’t want to throw himself voluntarily into the lion’s den. The ironmaster wanted him to give them company at Christmas. The peddler refused to go with him.
7. लोहे के कारखाने के मालिक से मुलाकात
कारखाने का मालिक अपने रात के निरीक्षण दौरे के लिए मिस्त्रीखाने में आया। उसने अंधेरे में फेरीवाले को देखा और गलती मुलाकात से उसे अपना एक पुराना परिचित समझ बैठा। फेरीवाले को उसके नाम का पता नहीं था। न ही वह उस आदमी से कभी मिला था। उसने लोहे के कारखाने के मालिक को बताया कि उसका भाग्य गिरावट पर है। लोहे के कारखाने के मालिक ने गलती से उसे अपनी रेजिमेंट का एक पुराना साथी समझ लिया। उसे अफसोस था कि उसे रेजिमेंट से इस्तीफा नहीं देना चाहिए था। उसने फेरीवाले को अपने साथ घर आने का निमंत्रण दिया। आवारा उसके साथ फार्महाऊस में नहीं जाना चाहता था। वह स्वयं स्वेच्छा से शेर की मांद में घुसना नहीं चाहता था। लोहे के कारखाने का मालिक चाहता था कि वह क्रिसमस पर उनका साथ दे। फेरीवाले ने उसके साथ जाने से मना कर दिया।
8. Edla Willmansson Persuades the Peddler
The ironmaster’s frightened. daughter Edla Willmansson came to the forge to persuade the peddler. She thought that the man was She looked at him compassionately. She requested him to stay with them over Christmas Eve. He didn’t resist and followed the lady. The next day was Christmas Eve The valet had bathed him, cut his hair and shaved him The peddler stood there in a good suit that belonged to the ironmaster Now the peddler stood before the ironmaster in broad daylight. Now, it was impossible to mistake him for an old acquaintance. He thundered at him. The peddler saw at once that he was exposed. But he told the ironmaster that it was not his fault. He didn’t want to deceive anybody. He had never pretended to be anything than a poor peddler. He had only begged to be allowed in the forge. He was ready to put on his old rags again and go away. First the ironmaster threatened to call the Sheriff but then asked him to go away at once.
8. Edla Willmansson फेरीवाले को मनाती है
लोहे के कारखाने के मालिक की लड़की Edla Willmansson फेरीवाले को मनाने मिस्त्रीखाने पर आयी। उसने सोचा कि वह डरा हुआ था। उसने उसे दयांपूर्ण नजरों से देखा। उसने उससे क्रिसमस की पूर्व संध्या पर उनके साथ रुकने का आग्रह किया। उसने विरोध नहीं किया और वह महिला के पीछे हो लिया। अगले दिन क्रिसमस की (पूर्व) संध्या थी। तौकर ने उसे नहलाया, उसके बाल काटे और उसकी हजामत बनायी। फेरीवाला एक अच्छे सूट को जो लोहे के मिल के मालिक का था पहने वहाँ खड़ा था। अब फेरीवाला लोहे की मिल के मालिक के सामने खुले दिन के प्रकाश में खड़ा था। अब उसे एक पुराने परिचित के रूप में पहचाने जाने की गलती करना असम्भव था। वह उस पर गरजा। फेरीवाले ने एकदम देख लिया कि उसकी पोल खुल गयीं है। लेकिन उसने लोहे के मिल-मालिक को बताया कि उसका कोई कसूर नहीं था। वह किसी को धोखा नहीं देना चाहता था। उसने एक गरीब फेरीवाले के अतिरिक्त कभी दूसरा होने का स्वांग नहीं भरा था। उसने तो सिर्फ मिस्त्रीखाने में जाने के लिए अनुमति देने की याचना की थी। वह अपने पुराने (फटे) चीथड़ों को फिर से पहनने और जाने के लिए तैयार था। पहले तो मिल-मालिक ने (Sheriff) अनुशासनाधिकारी को बुलाने की धमकी दी परन्तु फिर उसे वहाँ से तुरन्त भाग जाने को कहा।
9. Willmansson Made Him Stay
The ironmaster’s daughter wanted the peddler to stay with them. There was not a single place in the whole country where he was welcome. Everyone showed him the door. She wanted to have him stay and enjoy a day of peace with them. She was against chasing away a man whom they had promised Christmas cheer. The man with the Rattrap said not a word. In the evening the Christmas tree was lighted. He ate the Christmas fish and porridge.
9.Willmansson ने उसे रोक लिया
लोहे के कारखाने के मालिक की बेटी ने चाहा कि फेरी वाला उस दिन उनके साथ ठहरे। सारे देश में एक भी स्थान नहीं था जहाँ उसका स्वागत हो सकता था। हर कोई उसे दरवाजा दिखा देता था। वह चाहती थी कि वह उनके साथ एक दिन के लिए शांति से ठहरे और आनन्द मनाये। वह उस आदमी को भगा देने के विरुद्ध थी जिसे उन्होंने क्रिसमस की खुशियाँ प्रदान करने का वायदा कर रखा था। चूहादानी वाले ने एक भी शब्द नहीं कहा। शाम को क्रिसमस वृक्ष पर रोशनी की गयी। उसने क्रिसमस की मछली और दलिया खाया।
10. They Heard a Sensational News at the Church
The next morning the ironmaster and his daughter went for the early Christmas service. Their guest was still asleep and they didn’t disturb him. About 10 o’clock they drove back from the church. The young girl sat dejectedly. At church she had heard a sensational news, One of the old crofters had been robbed by a man who went around selling rattraps. The ironmaster asked the valet whether the. stranger was still there. He had heard at the Church that the man was a thief. The valet answered that the peddler had gone. But he had not taken anything at all with him. On the contrary, he had left behind a little package for Miss Willmansson.
10. चर्च में उन्होंने एक सनसनीपूर्ण खबर सुनी
अगली सुबह लोहा-मिल-मालिक और बेटी बड़े दिन के पहले प्रवचन सुनने के लिए गये। उनका मेहमान अभी भी सो रहा और उन्होंने उसे छेड़ा नहीं। लगभग 10 बजे वे चर्च से घर वापिस आये। युवा लड़की निराशा में बैठी थी। चर्च में उसने एक सनसनीखेज खबर सुनी थी। जमीन किराये पर देने वाले एक बूढ़े को एक आदमी ने जो चूहेदानियाँ बेचता फिरता था लूट लिया था। लोहे की मिल के मालिक ने नौकर से पूछा कि क्या अजनबी अभी भी वहाँ था। उसने चर्च में सुना था कि वह आदमी चोर था। सेवक ने बताया कि फेरीवाला चला गया था परन्तु वह अपने साथ कुछ भी नहीं ले गया था। उलटे, वह Miss Willmansson के लिए एक छोटा सा पैकेट छोड़ गया था।
11. Christmas Present for Miss Willmansson
The young girl opened the package. She gave a little cry of joy. She found a small rattrap and in it lay three wrinkled ten kronor notes. In the rattrap lay also a letter written for Miss Willmansson. He thanked her for being so nice to him as if he were a captain. He didn’t want her to be troubled by a thief at Christmas. She was requested to give back the money to the old crofter on the roadside. He had the money pouch hanging on the window frame. It served as a bait for poor wanderers. The rattrap was a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught if they had not raised him to captain.
11. Miss Willmansson के लिए क्रिसमस भेंट
युवा लड़की ने बंडल को खोला। उसने खुशी भरी एक छोटी-सी चीख निकाली। उसे एक छोटी सी चूहेदानी मिली और उसमें तीन मुड़े-तुड़े दस क्रोनर के नोट मिले। चूहेदानी में Miss Willmansson के लिए लिखा गया एक पत्र भी पड़ा था। उसने उसका उसके प्रति इतना अच्छा व्यवहार करने के लिए धन्यवाद किया, मानो वह कोई कप्तान हो। वह क्रिसमस पर उसे एक चोर द्वारा तंग किया जाना नहीं चाहता था। उससे यह विनती की गयी थी कि वह सड़क के किनारे रहने वाले जमीन को किराये पर देने वाले बूढ़े को वह पैसा लौटा दे। उसने खिड़की के फ्रेम पर पैसों की थैली लटका रखी थी। वह गरीब आवाराओं को फंसाने का काम करती थी। वह चूहादानी एक चूहे द्वारा उसे एक क्रिसमस भेंट थी जो उसमें पकड़ा गया होता यदि उसे एक कप्तान के रूप में ऊपर नहीं उठाया जाता ।
The Rattrap Question Answers
Q1- How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
A1- The peddler was a rattrap seller. He was leading a life of misery. He was homeless. Moreover, he didn’t have enough money to survive. So, he had to depend upon begging and thievery. He was once offered shelter by an old crofter. He wanted company and showed kindness towards the peddler by sharing his porridge and tobacco. In return, the peddler betrayed him and stole his money.
The ironmaster mistook him as his old companion Captain Von Stahle; he showed his kindness to him and invited him to his house for Christmas Eve. The peddler knew that the ironmaster was making a mistake by thinking him to be his old friend but here also he did not clear the air and simply accepted the invitation. He did this so that the ironmaster may give him some money out of pity.
Elda Williamson who was the iron master’s daughter invited him to their house in a very friendly way. Also, she insisted her father to let him stay for Christmas Eve even after it was revealed that he was not Captain Von Stahle. The kind nature of Elda changed the peddler and he not only thanked her by gifting a rattrap for being so kind and caring but also requested her to return the stolen money to the old crofter.
Q2- What are the instances in the story that show that the character of the ironmaster is different from that of his daughter in many ways?
A2- The character of both ironmaster and his daughter were totally different from each other.
The iron master was a proud man. When he saw the peddler, he mistook him as an old regimental comrade and tried to help him out of his sense of pride. When he realized that he had been mistaken, he called the peddler to be dishonest and also warned him of calling the sheriff. Not only this, he worried about his silver spoons when he comes to know that peddler was a thief. On the other hand, the ironmaster’s daughter was a kind lady, who really wanted to help the peddler. She treated him with respect and it was her kind nature that changed the peddler and made him a good person.
Q3- The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises?
A3- The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behavior. For example:
One evening when the peddler knocked at the door of a little hut, he was not disappointed by the owner rather he welcomed him and tried to be a good host to him by offering him food and playing cards with him. In another instance when the peddler went inside a forge to seek shelter, there he was invited by the ironmaster to his house as he mistook him as one of his old regimental comrade. But when the ironmaster realized that he had invited some unknown person to his house, he asked him to leave. At his time, he was allowed to stay by his daughter Elda out of kindness.
Q4- What made the peddler finally change his ways?
A4- Edla Willimansson’s kindness reformed the peddler. Her kindness, compassion and generosity killed the thief in him. He gifted her a rattrap. Also, he returned the three ten kronor notes that he had stolen from the crofter’s house. He requested her to return the money to the old crofter. He wrote a letter to her, thanking her for treating him well just like she would have treated a real captain.
Q5- How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?
A5- The world tempts the human beings by various good things such as the luxuries and joys, food and shelter, clothing and warmth, etc. They are just like the bait which is planted to trap someone in the rattrap of the world. In the story the peddler was attracted to the three ten kronors of the crofter, which he stole from him. Later on, he found himself trapped in the forest as he planned to hide himself by walking through the woods. When he got trapped, he thought that this was a punishment for his sin of getting lured by the money.
Q6- The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humour. How does this serve in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to us?
A6- We can see the peddler’s sense of humour when he compares the world with a rattrap. Whenever he gets caught due to his own knitted stories, he tries to prove his innocence by believing that he has fallen into the trap of this world which actually is like a rattrap. This lightens the seriousness of the story and makes the reader sympathize with him.
